Seize the day. So they said. Whoever they were Sokka had trouble trying to understand what that meant. He figured it was just another inspiring quote to encourage others to be brave and smart. One of those overused philosophies taught to practically everybody. Grown up stuff he'd have to understand despite the amorphous ideas adults like to ponder over.

Luckily he wouldn't need to wait long, he was 13, on the way to adulthood, but not old enough to be a warrior in his everyone's eyes.

The sun was honey coloured, soft and dim. The weather was mild for the season, but Sokka still felt the jaws of winter bite his skin like a hungry leech.

"Do you really have to go?" Sokka asked, arms heavy and eyes glaring at the clumpy snow, angry the war was taking his father away this time. His family was still recovering from the loss of his mother, both his sister and him still needed their father to stay to mend the wounds that were still raw and bleeding.

His hands clenched tightly against his soft pants, trying to hold himself back from breaking apart.

Regretfully, Hakoda rested on one knee to meet eyes, rustling Sokka's short hair with his hand. Silver eyes were heavy when they looked at younger boy "Yes, for the sake of peace I must leave to join the war." Taking a sharp breath, Sokka voiced his fears with a shaky push of air "Then I'm coming with you." He stubbornly told, teeth clenched. Stubbornly insisting that he refused to be left behind doing nothing.

"You're not old enough to go to war Sokka, you know that." His father reminded, his strong voice gentle despite its rough tone. Trying to save his son from witnessing the dark parts of war.

"But I'm strong, I'm brave, I can fight! Please dad…" Sokka begged, unable to truly accept his father was going to leave, feeling his strength begin to fade to the thought of another loss. Wasn't their family the most important thing? This wasn't fair! The world would do fine without his father involving himself in this stupid war. Things wouldn't change, the avatar abandoned the world. Any hope was lost.

Hakoda empathized with Sokka, but his son was not ready for the hardships war brings, and he didn't want to have his son take a life before he understood the value and burden of such acts. "Being a man is knowing where you're needed the most. And right now, that's here protecting your sister." Sokka would grow up safely in the tribe until he was ready for hardships. 'This is for the best.' He told himself.

Feeling helpless, Sokka felt his body tear from the inside, bleeding in grief "I don't understand…" His father wasn't a water bender, how could he fight against a bunch of crazy fire benders out to kill and rebellion?

"Someday you will," The grown man explained, like his lungs bled pain as he spoke, like he knew he couldn't his children from the world's cruelty "I'll miss you so much." His words were wobbling, aware of the real fact that there was a possibility that he'd end up dying.

Sokka calmed himself, pushing out his brooding emotions to make this easier, still too upset to wring out anymore words, he wasn't strong enough.

"I'll leave this place to you then." Hakoda entrusted.

Pride warmed his chest, cooling the pain in him for a fleeting time. Large arms wrapped around Sokka, the warmth of affection comforted him as he felt a cold rectangular box handed to him, its weight surprisingly heavy. Looking down at its peculiar shape and front, the glass circles and slit at the bottom fascinated him, his small fingers traced the delicate lens. It was the first time he saw glass and metal together.

"What sort of device is this?" his eyes looked quizzical, turning the object around in hopes of discovering what it was, prodding at buttons gently.

Pleased with Sokka's reaction, Hadoka explained "A gift that takes pictures, a camera. A mechanist from the Earth Kingdom was selling it when I was passing through. It's important to take pictures of moments as memories can fade with time. Remember that Sokka." Hakoda's voice dimmed, eyes a fraction smaller with a distant look, and a vague smile appeared. A bright flash followed. Sokka watched the camera produce an image of his father's expression. Holding the photo, Sokka watched his father's image appear. "You're leaving, I want to remember you." He explained, finding that his father's smile seemed a little forced, even if the picture was blurry.

Hakoda wanted to say something, to explain the abstract behavior of adults. How people can act one way but be something very different. That enemies could easily be turned into allies with patience and understanding. As a father, he wanted to be strong for his son, to fend off any worry or doubt in his son; but it seemed his son was catching on fast on lies that could fool children. Sokka was no longer a child, but he wasn't a man yet.

While he understood his son would fight for the liberation of the repressed in this war, he was unsure that Sokka would know how to trust and respect people of the fire nation. Indeed, many firebenders in the war were delusional and mad, but Hakoda knew better than to think all were evil. Sokka didn't.

He closed his mouth, understanding that from now on, Sokka would figure things out for himself, and hopefully learn with his sister about the world.

"Take care of your sister." He finished, distancing himself before he began boarding Bato's boat. The wind picked up, blowing right through punctured hearts, stealing any heat that Sokka held in his lanky body. 'I promise I'll grow up quick to join you, I'll make you proud, dad.' He vowed, feet lingering where he stood as he watched his father leave for a journey, snow building around him. Hoping he'd see his father again, that by some miracle the war would end soon. Yet somehow, he was already grieving over the loss of another loved one.


The days that followed were monotonous. Skies favored light blue for most of the time, Katara and Sokka argued a little more than usual, but they never lasted long. His sister had been oddly accepting that their father left, but as her brother, he knew his sister was just as upset. There were a few times when he tried to talk about it, to try to be the grown up, but it always ended up in fights.

Recently Sokka took it upon himself to train the younger generation how to defend themselves and their tribe, there was no telling when the fire nation would raid them again now that there were no adults in their tribe anymore. Self defense was invaluable.

Due to his skeptical and abrasive nature, not many people took him seriously, though it was likely because he was barely a teenager that no one really found his antics as resolute.

So he'd go sulk behind his secret fort around the higher cliff tops. He took the time spent there to plan out his lessons and look at his father's gift. Today was one of the worst ones fights he had with Katara. This morning she was screaming at him for the gross white splotches on his sleeping bag due to some scandalous dreams he'd been having.

To be fair, he was a growing boy, and he was lucky enough to be explained by his father that this was normal. Despite that, he still couldn't help but feel lost with the changes in his body, he didn't know how to deal with his own body much less his dreams. He chose to ignore them to keep himself sane, save for his seed that would escape him in slumber.

For the sake of escaping Katara's rampage today, he took refuge at his fort. Blocking out the penguin otters that shuffled around him in mild curiosity.

Sokka stared at his camera he took from his bag, eyes fixed on its clear lens. Pursing his lips, he looked around him with searching eyes. Just plain flat snow, with slow animals tripping over themselves as they cawed for food stupidly. The usual.

Sighing, he rested his head against the snowy wall he built as he gave up on trying to find the right thing to take a picture of. It needed to mean something, to evoke something intense in him, this wasn't a toy.

He took out his photo of his father he had taken from a year ago, a shadow of heartache reminded him of his grief. Sokka had wished he was older, maybe then his father wouldn't have left him behind to be the only man in his tribe.

There were times that Sokka thought of taking a photo, he never forgot about his father's words. Like when the sky lit up with colours at night, or when a baby learned to walk; but somehow, it wasn't that preciously capturing to him, like when he caught his father's hard expression. As much as he loved his homeland, it wasn't the most adventurous filled with new people every week. Nothing new ever came around.

Burning charcoal interrupted his thoughts by pinching his nostrils. Turning around on his knees to peek over the edge of his fort, Sokka caught sight of the regular fire nation ship passing by.

If it was a raid, there would have been every fire nation soldier lined up, and the ship would have had more weapons visible. Fingers still found their way to his trusty boomerang, clutching to the cool edge in case, Sokka still felt uneasy. Surprisingly, he could hear his heart beating as he took cautious breaths to calm himself, if there was any sign of aggression he would be ready.

Stomach twisting, Sokka's eyes widened to see a young boy–possibly his age– standing at the very front, his eyes burning with such intensity, bearing the armour of the fire nation. Knowing he should have hidden himself, Sokka tried to shrink as he noted how the stranger's eyes were drops of amber, and how his left side was marred with a burn scar, it looked so...painful.

A sigh escaped the fire nation boy, his cool expression tightening in conflict and fragility as a hand touched his marred skin, eyes shut in anguish like the memory of his burn ripped him in two. Eventually the sunlit eyes gazed down at the water below the hull, fixed at his reflection with shame.

Without thinking, Sokka lifted his camera to line with his right eye, and took a picture when the clouds cleared just enough to allow the reflection of the sun to the foreigner's marble skin. Sokka took a nice long look at his photo, and confirmed that the fire nation uniform looked a little big on him, and he was way too serious with how he held himself. But there was something that resembled loneliness that added to the pain the boy seemed to hold as well.

The heavy wave of compassion took him by surprise, the feeling in his chest felt wrong. This boy was fire nation, they were all the same. Impulsively, Sokka began to rip the photo, stopping just a quarter in when he noticed he had a mild bulge. "Shit," he gritted, wanting to bash his head for his body being vulgar at the worst of times.

Before the wet dreams were manageable, but this was the first time he had a random erection when he was awake. Covering his face, Sokka waited for it to pass, for his body to calm. Trying to keep himself from screaming in embarrassment.

Finally when the 'problem' solved itself, Sokka bolted back to his tribe to his home, burying his face in his pillow to recover from his morbid situation. When he finally settled down his emotions, he took the time to contemplate on his thoughts for even wasting a photo on an enemy.

Deep down, he knew he shouldn't have taken the risk of some fire nation brat. Looking at the fresh photo, guilt should have been his first feeling, but all he could feel was curiosity and an urge to trace the scar on his left side, wondering if it still hurt. What sort of voice did this strange, new boy have? Was it soft or stern? Grating or smooth? What did his gold eyes look like up close?

Warmth began to concentrate in his stomach which prompted Sokka to sit up and realize his erection had returned. This time he really did scream.


Travelling around the world was a huge thought itself.

Katara was eager to the idea, but Sokka felt hesitant at the prospect.

Sokka was used to his surroundings being dressed in snow with little diversity. But it seemed the world called out to his sister and Aang to learn more about bending. Since they found the only airbender left in the world, who was also the avatar, it only made sense they travel with the Avatar and help him in his journey. Both Aang and Katara had purposes that required them to travel which was to learn bending. Sokka's role in all of this was murky and unclear, still yet to be uncovered if he had any useful roles in their journey. He chose to travel with his sister and Aang to protect them from what he could since he was the oldest. Admittedly, he was surprised by a lot of the things they came across on their adventures so far, buildings that didn't melt, giant animals, Kyoshi warriors, and crazy king that knew Aang before the avatar went into a hundred-year hibernation in ice.

Now it seemed they were up against a hungry spirit monster because Aang was supposedly connected to the spirit world and the Avatar couldn't turn his back from a community in need of his aid.

Aang's first attempt to communicate with an angry spirit ended terribly, unable to pacify its rage over the destruction of its forest due to passing firebenders.

The same night, Sokka took out the photo of Zuko he had taken a year ago, when he stupidly felt compassion, when he had been naive.

Looking back on it now, Sokka must have wanted to believe Zuko was just some poor kid like him. That by some miracle the prince was an outsider like he was, but so far Zuko was just another power hungry fire prince after the Avatar's head.

Sokka glared at the photo as he trembling hand couldn't let go of the photo as it dangled over the kindling, angrily he shoved the photo back into his bag. Telling himself how profoundly foolish he was for not destroying the photo the day he had taken it. It would've been easier that way.

Quickly he tucked himself back into his sleeping bag, telling himself he would throw it into the fire tomorrow. Succumbing to his drowsiness as he gazed at the dying fire pit in the house, admiring the gold colour of dying fire.


Things were not looking good, wood and clay were everywhere as houses were destroyed. The people in the house were trembling in fear of their lives, well aware they would all be spirited away if Aang failed to calm the beast. Right now Avatar was being beaten into the ground. Apparently the second try was not looking any better.

Sokka had enough.

Aang was part of his responsibility now, and he wouldn't stand back and watch Aang get thrown on roofs while he did nothing. With clenched fists he bolted out to help his friend in need.

Avatar or not, Aang was still a kid.

"That's it, he needs help!" he told his sister, grabbing for his boomerang to distract the rampaging spirit, Katara called out for him to wait but he didn't slow down. With clean aim, he threw his weapon, which only bounced off the spirit.

'Of course! It's a spirit not some physical animal.' Sokka realized stupidly, physical attacks wouldn't affect it.

"Sokka stay back!" Aang warned, his hand gesturing for Sokka to stay far from the spirit. Shaking his head dismissively, Sokka found himself wanting to stay to fight. "We'll fight him together Aang." Despite not having any weapons or bending ability, Sokka knew two was better than one person against some crazy monster, they could do this together.

Looking back at the spirit and relaxing out of his defensive stance, Aang glanced at Sokka with panic "I don't want to fight him unless I—"

Sharp pain bit into Sokka's waist as he was ripped from the ground and held captive by a pair of black claws. The monster turned around and began to run to the other direction, taking him deep into the forest. Fear spiked up as the adrenaline faded, his fingers desperately pulled at the monster's hands to somehow squeeze out, but he was stuck. Aang quickly caught up with his glider, searching for him.

Waving his arms, Sokka called out for him "Aang! Over here!"

Aang tilted his glider to come close, but because it was dark, it made it difficult to avoid hitting branches, instead, he flew up to see that the spirit was headed to the burned forest, where gray painted the ground. With a clear terrain, Sokka stretched his hand out, heart beating against his chest as his body shook from the inside, the sharp wind made his vision blurry. This was blood-draining fear. "Help!" he forced himself to yell, reaching for Aang's hand. When they met eyes, he realized that he was fading. Before he knew it, Sokka was on flat land with nothing to see for miles. The sounds of heavy footsteps and wind was gone.

This was all the fire nation's fault, they burned a forest, scarring it black which destroyed the life it once had just because they could. Now, Sokka and other villagers were paying their price.

Blinking dazedly, Sokka processed that he had been taken to the spirit world, his heart still racing. "Shit." Normally he didn't swear, but no one was around to hear it. "Well what a wonderful mess you got yourself in!" he groaned, rubbing his face as he began to walk to nowhere in particular. "You just had to get swept up by some crazy spirit and get dragged to a place where other hungry spirits will tear you apart."

Sokka. A voice called.

Jerking his head backwards, Sokka turned around him to where the voice came from. The person before him had long brown hair, smiling blue eyes, and a calm expression. "Mom?" he asked with a baffled tone, caught off guard to see his mother's kind face, bringing back memories of that terrible fire nation raid.

There aren't any monsters near, it's just empty space She assured, voice soft and firm.

"How do I know if you're not some trick?" Sokka pressed, distrustful that his mother would coincidently appear before him.

I am what you want to see. I never stated I was your mother, I simply reflect what you want to see.

Upset to find that the person before him was just some ruse, Sokka folded his arms "Then what do you want?"

Almost amusingly, the women pointed at him Your question can only be answered by you, I told you that Sokka.

"Don't call me by my name, you're a stranger, for all I know maybe you're a hungry demon." He snapped, turning around to walk away from this blatant trick. This was cruel.

That's fair, but you did forgot what you're mother looked like, which is why I look like this.

Pausing his angry footsteps, Sokka's teeth clenched with his fist. Sucking in air, he was about to blow up before his blood turned cold when she was covered in burns

Her cloud-spat blue eyes became focused, still warmly smiling Try not to hate fire

"It took you away." He pointed out, voice angry as he recalled his father and sister's grief that day "Fire is the enemy." He added, forgetting the illusion before him was not real.

Yes, it took me away, but fire is not the enemy. You know that deep down, you just need to find peace within your storm. His mother soon began moving away, like the space between them was extending for the sole purpose of separating them. "Wait!" he yelled, chasing his mother as he passed by shoots of bamboo that seemed to have shot out of nowhere.

No one is truly evil, just lost in dark place

A sudden bright flash invaded his eyes and his head, and when it cleared he tried to recall what happened as he slowed to a slow walk, passing stalks of bamboo bushes, rubbing his head in confusion. "What happened?" eyes searched for his sister, squinting at a vague figure.

"Does it matter?" A voice asked. Looking up, Sokka recognized that rough voice and gold eyes. It was Zuko. Before he could react, he was knocked out by a biting pain in his neck, he later swore the last thing he saw in blurred vision was an almost naked old man behind Zuko.

He hoped Katara and Aang left the village soon. Sokka knew he could handle the jerk fire prince. He was a warrior after all, and his friends could handle themselves.